Dispensing carton



Jan. 11, 1966 J. DONG ETAL DISPENSING CARTON 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 11, 1964 INVENTOR.

JA M ES DO NG BY FRANK Q.HERSHEY ATTORNEY Z Jan. 11, 1966 J, DONG ETAL DISPENSING CARTON 2 SheetsSheet 2 Filed May 11, 1964 INVENTOR. JAMES DONG B FRANK Q. HERSHEY United States Patent Ofilice 3,228,519 Patented Jan. 11, 1966 3,228,519 DISPENSING CARTON James Dong, El Cerrito, and Frank Q. Hershey, Oakland, Calif., assignors to Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corporation, Oakland, Calif, a corporation or Delaware Filed May 11, 1964, Ser. No. 366,353 Claims. (Cl. 206-58) This invention relates to a merchandising and dispensing carton and more particularly to a merchandising and dispensing carton for a roll of sheet-like material wherein the structure of the carton is such that it facilitates controlled rotation in a predetermined direction of a roll of sheet-like material disposed within the carton so that the sheet-like material may be removed from the carton and severed into desired sectional lengths.

Accordingly, it is a primary purpose of the present invention to provide an improved merchandising and dispensing carton for a web of sheet-like material wherein novel means are employed to provide controlled rotation in a predetermined direction of a web or roll of sheetlike material disposed within the carton and a dispensing of the said material therefrom.

This and other purposes of the instant invention will become more apparent from the review of the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a suitable blank from which the merchandising and dispensing carton can be made;

FIG. 2 is an end elevational view of a combination mandrel support and end closure element for the carton of the instant invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the element of FIG. 2 when taken along line 3-3 thereof;

FIG. 4 is an end elevational view of another mandrel supporting element;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the element shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged but partly 'broken away and fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the carton of the instant invention;

FIG. 7 is a partial plan view of the end closure element of FIGS. 2 and 3 aflixed to a mandrel for the web of material;

FIG. 8 is a plan view with parts broken away of the merchandising container of the instant .invention; and

FIG. 9 is a view of the merchandising container and with the leading edge of the material being dispensed protruding through a slot in the carton.

It is to be understood that throughout the drawings like reference numbers correspond to like parts. With further reference to the drawings and particularly FIGS. 1 and 9, the merchandising and dispensing package or container 10 generally comprises a carton 12 made from a suitable paperboard blank or the like folded into the form of the carton so that it can enclose a roll or web of sheet-like material 14. The blank can be advantageously provided with a slot 18 through which the leading edge 16 of material 14 can protrude during dispensing of the same and the material 14 can be any suitable sheetlike material such as aluminum foil.

The paperboard blank in its initial form generally comprises a series of interconnected panels such as a front panel 20, a bottom panel 22, a back panel 24 and a top panel 26. These panels 20, 22, 24 and 26 are interconnected through the medium of the fold lines 28 and are arranged when suitably folded to provide a carton having a generally rectangular shape. The free edge of the top panel 26 contains a foldable flap 30, while the free edge 32 of the front panel includes serrations for severing the dispensed Web of foil 14 into desired sectional lengths. The container 12 is held in its folded rectangular shape by any suitable 'bonded connection between the various end flaps to be hereinafter described and a bonded connection between the :outer surface of the foldable flap 30 with a sectional area of the inside surface of the front panel 20 immediately adjacent the serrated edge 32. The bonded connection of the inner surface of the folda'ble flap 30 with the inside surface of the front panel 20 is such that the serrated edge 32 is sufficiently exposed to facilitate efiicient severing of the dispensed web of foil 14.

If desired, the front panel 20 may have intermediate the top and bottom thereof a removable tear strip 34 which extends the length of the panel 20 and initially covers the longitudinal slot 18 in the panel, all as indicated in FIG. 9. Parallel score lines 36 and 38 are provided on opposed surfaces of the front panel 20 to facilitate efiicient removal of the tear strip 34. The score lines 36 and 38 are differently spaced on the respective surfaces of the panel 20 wherein removal of the tear strip 34 leaves stepped edges 40 along the length of the slot in the manner shown in FIGS. 6 and 9. The extreme ends .of the tear strip 34 can be advantageously completely cut away from the front panel 20 to provide end tabs 42 that facilitate separation of the tear strip 34 from panel 26.

The ends of the panels 20, 22, 24 and 26 are provided with foldable flaps. Each flap extends for the full width of the container panel with which it is associated. More specifically, the front and back panels 20 and 24 have hingedly connected thereto, along a score line 48, foldable flaps 44 and 46. The flaps 44 each have cut away or cut out sections or apertures 50, the diameters of which are less than the width of the flaps 44. Foldable flaps 52 and 54 located at the longitudinal ends of the bottom and top panels 22 and 26 are approximately half the size of the other flaps 44 and 46 and are hingedly connected to their associated panels 22 or 26 as the case may be along the score line 48. The half size flaps 52 include cut out portions or semicircular recesses 56 that have a radius generally corresponding to the radius of the apertures 50.

When the panels 20, 22, 24 and 26 are folded together as aforedescribed, the longitudinal ends of the container 12 are adapted to be closed by folding of the flaps 44 and 52, 46 and 54 at each end in overlapping relationship in a manner well known in the art. In any event, the pair of half-size flaps 52 or 54 at either end, when folded, preferably lie in the same plane and have their free edges 58 or 60 as the case may be disposed in opposed relationship. Thus, the folded half-size flaps 52 are advantageously disposed to lie in-between the pair of overlapped full-size folded flaps 44 in the fashion shown in FIG. 6. In other words, the outside folded full size flap 44 is hingedly connected to the front panel 20 while the innermost flap is hingedly connected to the back panel 24 and the half-size flaps 52 are positioned in-between the overlapped full-size flaps 44. Similarly, the other flaps 46 and 54 at the other end can be folded in the same manner. It will now be observed that when the fiaps 44 and 52 are folded together in overlapping relation the apertures 50 of the flaps 44 and the recesses 56 of the flaps 52 define a commonly aligned aperture 50 therethrough (see FIG. 6).

To enable proper retention of the roll of web material 14 within the container 12 so that the web material 14 can be efficiently and selectively dispensed through the slot 18 or the open top of the container 12, after the top panel 26 and flap 30 is lifted upwardly additional elements are provided within the completely folded container 12. One of these elements is an end cap 62 which has the unique structure shown in FIGS. 2-3. This cap which can be pressed a or molded from a piece of metal or plastic is provided with a somewhat cylindrical sleeve 64 having a closed end portion 62'. The sleeve 64 can be folded back upon itself at 65 to define an outer substantial frusto-conical surface 66. The surface 66 extends outwardly from the fold 65 to an outwardly divergent frusto-conical flange 68. The closed end portion of the sleeve 64 advantageously protrudes axially outward beyond the outer peripheral end 70 of the flange 68. It is to be noted that the diameter of the outer peripheral end 70 corresponds substantially to the distance across the oppositely disposed folded panels,

such as the panels 20 and 24.

Also disposed within the container 12 is a hollow core or mandrel 74 of shorter length than the container 12. The inner cylindrical surface 76 of the core 74 is adapted to frictionally engage at one end with the frusto-conical surface 66 of the cap 62. The extent of this frictional engagement is limited by the inner conical surface 78 of the flange abuttingly engaging the end 80 of the core whereby the flange acts as a stop. The web of foil 14 is for all practical purposes the same length as the core 74 and is wrapped or wound around the outer cylindrical surface of the core 74 in tight folds in the fashion shown in FIG. 8.

In order to hold the mandrel and foil web properly in the carton and enable proper dispensing of the foil 14, a bearing element 84 is used. Bearing element 84 is engaged by the end of mandrel 74 opposite end 80. If desired, bearing insert 84 can be suitably attached to the innermost surface of one of the full size flaps 46 at the other end of the container 12, such as the flap 46 hingedly connected to the back panel 24. The insert 84 is molded or pressed formed from any suitable material such as any plastic, metal or cardboard and generally comprises a circular axial projection 86 centrally located on its integral base 88. The base 88 corresponds substantially to the width of the flap 46 to which it is attached. The projection 86 is so formed as to include a somewhat cylindrical surface 90 at its free end and an annular shoulder 92 disposed between the surface 90 and the base 88 whereby the cylindrical surface 90 and the shoulder 92 are adapted to engage and rotatably support the inner core surface 76 at the other core end in the manner shown in FIG. 8.

In addition to the means described in FIGS. -6 for bearingly supporting the other end of the core 74, another means may be substituted such as triangular shaped tabs or spindles struck-out of the end flaps,

The particular manner in which the cap 62, core 74 and the preferred bearing insert 84 are assembled within the carton 12, which will now be described, is to be considered as a preferred form of assembly. Firstly the cap 62 and core 74 are connected by insertion of cap 62 within the end 80 of core 74 until the core end 80 abuttingly engages the inner flange surface 78. The flaps 44 and 52 at one end of the container 12 are then folded into an overlapping relation to define the common aperture 50 in FIG. 6. Next interconnected cap 62 and core 74 are inserted into the container from its other end with the two pair of flaps 46 and 54 being in an unfolded condition. It is to be understood that the cap 62 with the connected core 74 is inserted until the outer frusto-conical surface of the flange 68 abuts the innermost surface of the flap 44 hingedly connected to the back panel 24. Since the outer periphery 70 of the flange 68 corresponds in diameter to the Width of the oppositely disposed folded panels and 24, 22 and 26 as the case may be, the closed end portion 62' of the sleeve 64 is therefore maintained in axial alignment with the aperture during insertion of the cap 62 and core 74 into the partially folded container 12. The closed end portion 62 upon abutment of the flange 68 with the innermost surface of the bottom folded flap 44 will have passed through the aperture 50' so that it protrudes therefrom in the fashion shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. The reason for such protrusion of the closed end portion or knob 62 is to enable the user to readily grasp the portion 62' for controlled rotation of the cap 62 in a predetermined direction along with the core 74 and the web of foil 14 mounted thereon.

Next the bearing insert for rotatably supporting the other end of the core 74 is attached to the inner surface of the flap 46 hinged to the back panel 24 so that upon folding of the flaps 46 and 54 inwardly the insert surfaces and 92 become aligned with and engage the inner surface 76 of the core at the opposing end thereof. The connected cap 62, core 74 and attached insert 84 are proportionately arranged inside the completely folded container 12 in the manner shown in FIG. 8 and 9 in such a fashion as to minimize the frictional contact of the flange 68 with the innermost surface of the folded flap 44 of the back panel 24.

With the container 12 completely folded and the core 74 and foil 14 disposed therein, the container 12 is now in condition, after removal of the tear strip 34, for dispensing a length of foil 14. With the tear strip 34, removed, grasping of the protruding closed end portion 62' of end closure cap 62 by the user enables simple controlled rotation of the cap 62 in a predetermined direction, a corresponding rotation of the core 74 and an unwinding of the wrapped web of foil 14 from the core 74 until a suitable length of the foil 14 extends beyond the slot 18. The selected length of dispensed foil 14 with its inner end adjacent the serrated edge 32 can then be moved across the serrated edge 32 and severed from the main body of foil whereupon a new leading edge 16 is established. Since the outer surface of the flange 68 is in minimal contact with the inner surface of the flap 44 of the back panel 24, only a minimal effort is required to cause rotation of the cap 62 in a predetermined direction. The unique structure of the outwardly divergent inner surface 78 of the cap flange 68 assures that any possible binding or crinkling of either rolled edge of the foil 14 within the container 12 is minimized during the rotation of the cap 62. In the event that the leading edge 16 of the foil 14 is inadvertently disposed within the container, the slot 18 is of suflicient width to enable the user to simple reestablish the leading edge 16 beyond the slot 18 by controlled rotation of the cap 62 in a predetermined direction.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention has been herein disclosed and described. It will be obvious that various changes and modifications may be made thereon without departing from the spirit and scope thereof as defined by the following claims, wherein What is claimed is:

1. A merchandising and dispensing container for a roll of sheet-like material comprised of a carton for enclosing the roll of sheet-like material, said carton being provided with closed ends and a slot disposed between the ends of the carton through which the sheet-like material can be dispensed, one of the ends of the carton being cut away to define an aperture therethrough, a rotatable core disposed within said carton and having a web of sheet-like material wound therearound, a carton end closure and core turning end cap disposed within the said aperture in said one of said ends of the carton, said end cap being provided with an inner portion which is operatively connected to said core so as to serve as support for one end of the core, said inner portion of said end cap having an outwardly extending flange on the said end cap and said flange being larger than said aperture and disposed within the interior limits of the carton and in close proximity to the apertured end thereof and intermediate said apertured end and the core, said end cap flange being of such a lateral dimension as to lightly contact without binding the inner surface of the said apertured end of the carton adjacent said aperture, means associated with the other end of the carton for supporting the opposite end of said core and said end closure cap also having a knob portion protruding outwardly from the aperture in said apertured end whereby rotation of said knob portion in a predetermined direction by the user will effect a corresponding rotation of said core.

2. A merchandising and dispensing container as set forth in claim 1 wherein the peripheral dimension of said end cap flange corresponds substantially to the distance across the apertured end of the carton whereby the flange can act as a support for the core in the carton.

3. A merchandising and dispensing container as set forth in claim 1 wherein said core is hollow and the inner portion of said end cap is disposed inside of and is operatively connected to the core at one end thereof.

4. A merchandising and dispensing container as set forth in claim 3 wherein the inner portion of the end cap is tapered to facilitate operative connection between the end cap and the inside surface of the core.

5. A merchandising and dispensing container for a roll of sheet-like material comprised of a blank folded to define a carton for enclosing the roll of sheet-like material and provided with carton enclosing ends, said carton being provided with a slot interposed between the ends thereof through which the sheet-like material can be dispensed and one of the ends of the carton being cut away to define an aperture theretlirough, a rotatable core disposed within said carton and having a web of sheet-like material wound therearound, a carton end closure and core turning end cap disposed within the said aperture in said one of said ends of the carton, said end cap being provided with an inner portion which is operatively connected to said core so as to serve as a support for one end of said core, said inner portion of said end cap having an outwardly extending flange on the end cap and said end cap flange being larger than said aperture while being disposed within the interior limits of the carton and in close proximity to the apertured end thereof and intermediate said apertured end and the core, said end cap flange being of such a lateral dimension as to lightly contact without binding the inner surface of the said apertured end of the carton adjacent said aperture and of such a peripheral dimension so as to serve as a support for the core, means associated with the other end of the carton for supporting the opposite end of said core and said end cap also having a knob portion protruding outwardly from the aperture in said apertured end, whereby the rotation of said knob portion in a predetermined direction by the user effects a corresponding rotation of said core.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,127,053 2/1915 MacDonald. 2,165,070 7/1939 Ringler 229-5l 2,836,292 5/1958 Klein et a1. 206-58 2,936,937 5/1960 Guyer 206-58 THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner.

GEORGE O. RALSTON, Examiner.

W. T. DIXSON, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A MERCHANDISING AND DISPENSING CONTAINER FOR A ROLL OF SHEET-LIKE MATERIAL COMPRISED OF A CARTON FOR ENCLOSING THE ROLL OF SHEET-LIKE MATERIAL, SAID CARTON BEING PROVIDED WITH CLOSED ENDS AND A SLOT DISPOSED BETWEEN THE ENDS OF THE CARTON THROUGH WHICH THE SHEET-LIKE MATERIAL CAN BE DISPENSED, ONE OF THE ENDS OF THE CARTON BEING CUT AWAY TO DEFINE AN APERTURE THERETHROUGH, A ROTATABLE CORE DISPOSED WITHIN SAID CARTON AND HAVING A WEB OF SHEET-LIKE MATERIAL WOUND THEREAROUND, A CARTON END CLOSURE AND CORE TURNING END CAP DISPOSED WITHIN THE SAID APERTURE IN SAID ONE OF SAID ENDS OF THE CARTON, SAID END CAP BEING PROVIDED WITH AN INNER PORTION WHICH IS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID CORE SO AS TO SERVE AS SUPPORT FOR ONE END OF THE CORE, SAID INNER PORTION OF SAID END CAP HAVING AN OUTWARDLY EXTENDING FLANGE ON THE SAID END CAP AND SAID FLANGE BEING LARGER THAN SAID APERTURE AND DISPOSED WITHIN THE INTERIOR LIMITS OF THE CARTON AND IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE APERTURED END THEREOF AND INTERMEDIATE SAID APERTURED END AND THE CORE, SAID END CAP FLANGE BEING OF SUCH A LATERAL DIMENSION AS TO LIGHTLY CONTACT WITHOUT BINDING THE INNER SURFACE OF THE SAID APERTURED END OF THE CARTON ADJACENT SAID APERTURE, MEANS ASSOCIATED WITH THE OTHER END OF THE CARTON FOR SUPPORTING THE OPPOSITE END OF SAID CORE AND SAID END CLOSURE CAP ALSO HAVING A KNOB PORTION PROTRUDING OUTWARDLY FROM THE APERTURE IN SAID APERTURED END WHEREBY ROTATION OF SAID KNOB PORTION IN A PREDETERMINED DIRECTION BY THE USER WILL EFFECT A CORRESPONDING ROTATION OF SAID CORE. 